Colin Snow
Sleeping with contact lenses in your eyes can lead to a range of issues, from discomfort and dryness to more severe infections and corneal damage. While it may be tempting to leave your contacts in while you snooze, doing so can deprive your eyes of oxygen, leading to a condition called corneal hypoxia. This can cause irritation, blurred vision, and increase the risk of eye infections, such as microbial keratitis. Additionally, the lenses can trap bacteria and debris against your cornea, providing an ideal environment for microorganisms to multiply. The longer you sleep with your contacts in, the higher the chances of infection and other eye complications.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Risk of eye infection | Microbial keratitis, bacterial keratitis, fungal keratitis, conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, corneal hypoxia |
| Dry eyes | Due to decreased tear production during sleep and absorption of moisture by contact lenses |
| Redness and irritation | Including persistent inflammation and blurred vision |
| Corneal damage | Including corneal scarring and corneal transplants |
| Vision loss | Including temporary and permanent blindness |
| Inhibited tear exchange | Germs are not washed away and have time to spread |
| Physical changes to the eye | Prolonged contact lens wear can change the shape of the eye |
| Discomfort | Lenses may become stuck or dislodged, causing scratches and discomfort |
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What You'll Learn
Increased risk of eye infection
Sleeping with contact lenses in your eyes can have adverse effects, one of the most significant being the increased risk of eye infections. This risk is substantially higher—between five and eight times—than when contacts are used correctly and removed before sleep.
Contact lenses are medical devices that should only be used as directed by an eye doctor. When worn overnight, they inhibit the tear exchange in your eyes, preventing tears from washing away germs and giving them more time to spread. This disruption to the tear film, which normally protects the eye, can have serious consequences.
The longer you sleep with contacts in, the greater the opportunity for bacteria, microbes, and fungi to multiply and cause infections. This risk is further exacerbated by the physical structure of the eye during sleep. The ocular surface environment is extraordinarily sensitive, and the pressure of contact lenses for extended periods can cause the eye's surface to change shape, making it even more vulnerable to infection.
Additionally, the lack of oxygen during sleep, known as hypoxia, can lead to corneal damage. The cornea relies on oxygen from the atmosphere, which dissolves in the tear film. Without sufficient oxygen, corneal cells can become damaged, leading to various symptoms and complications, including infections.
The risk of specific eye infections, such as microbial keratitis, increases significantly when sleeping with contacts. This condition, caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites, can result in serious complications like vision loss and permanent scarring if left untreated. Other infections, such as fungal keratitis, are also more likely when contacts are worn overnight, especially in regions with mild and tropical weather.
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Dry, sore, red eyes
Dry, sore, and red eyes are common consequences of sleeping in your contact lenses. Firstly, contact lenses can absorb the moisture in your eyes, leading to dryness. This condition can worsen when you sleep with your contacts in, as your eyes naturally produce fewer tears during sleep. This can cause irritation, discomfort, and potential damage to the corneal surface.
Secondly, the tear film in your eyes has a protective function, washing away germs. However, when you sleep with contact lenses in, the tear film cannot perform this function, allowing germs to spread. The longer you sleep in your contacts, the more opportunity there is for an infection to develop.
Thirdly, contact lenses can trap microorganisms against the cornea, providing an ideal environment for them to multiply. This can lead to an eye infection, such as microbial keratitis, which can cause serious complications if left untreated, including vision loss and permanent scarring of the eye.
Finally, when you sleep, your eyelids move, putting pressure on your eyes' surface. This can cause the lenses to shift out of place and get stuck in unusual positions, especially if you rub your eyes while sleeping. Along with irritation and general discomfort, this displacement can also lead to scratches or other injuries to your eye.
If you experience any symptoms of an eye infection, such as redness, excessive watering, or discharge, it is important to see an eye doctor right away to treat the problem before serious damage occurs.
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Corneal damage
The cornea is the transparent outer layer of the eye that protects the eye and helps focus light on the back of the eye, enabling clear vision. While contacts rarely harm the cornea, sleeping in contacts can cause corneal damage in the following ways:
Infection
The cornea comes into contact with bacteria every day, yet infections rarely occur as a healthy cornea is part of the eye's natural defence against contaminants. However, wearing contacts while sleeping can cut off the oxygen supply to the cornea, impairing its ability to protect itself from microorganisms. This increases the risk of eye infections such as microbial keratitis, which is an inflammation and infection of the cornea. The longer you sleep in your contacts, the more opportunity you give bacteria to spread and cause infection.
Dryness
Contact lenses can absorb the moisture in your eyes, leading to dryness. This condition can worsen when you sleep with your contacts in, as your eyes naturally produce fewer tears during sleep. Dry eyes can cause irritation, discomfort, and potential damage to the corneal surface.
Scratches and abrasions
While you sleep, your eyelids can trap the lenses in unusual positions. Along with irritation and general discomfort, this displacement can also lead to scratches or other injuries to your eye. Additionally, your lenses might rub uncomfortably against the cornea as you sleep, increasing the chance of scratches and irritation.
Ulcers
Sleeping in contacts not intended for extended wear can make a corneal ulcer more likely to occur.
Changes to the eye's surface
Prolonged contact lens wear can affect the physical structure of the eye's surface. Studies show that the ocular surface environment is extraordinarily sensitive and can even change shape if subjected to the pressure of contact lenses for too long.
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Vision loss
Sleeping with contact lenses in your eyes can lead to a range of issues, including eye redness, dryness, irritation, and inflammation. However, one of the most severe consequences is the risk of vision loss.
Additionally, contact lenses can trap microbes and bacteria, creating an ideal environment for their growth overnight. The lenses act as incubators for bacteria, increasing the risk of infections such as microbial keratitis, which can lead to vision loss and permanent scarring. In some cases, these infections may require surgery or even result in blindness.
Furthermore, sleeping with contact lenses can cause physical changes to the eye's surface. The ocular surface environment is sensitive and can change shape due to the prolonged pressure of contact lenses. This alteration in eye structure can also increase the susceptibility to infections and other complications, potentially impacting vision.
While it is not a common occurrence, the risk of vision loss from sleeping with contact lenses is significant. The longer one sleeps with contact lenses, the higher the chances of developing an infection or experiencing corneal damage, both of which can contribute to vision loss. Therefore, it is essential to remove contact lenses before sleeping and practice good contact lens hygiene to minimize the risk of eye-related issues, including the potential for vision loss.
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Irritation and discomfort
Sleeping with contact lenses on can cause a range of issues, from mild irritation to serious eye infections. The most common consequence is dry, sore, or red eyes, which can usually be remedied with eye drops. However, the discomfort and irritation can be more severe and persistent, requiring a longer recovery time.
When you sleep with contact lenses in, you deprive your eyes of oxygen. The cornea of your eye relies on oxygen from the atmosphere, which dissolves in the tear film that coats your eye. Contact lenses block oxygen and nutrients from reaching the cornea, and the lack of oxygen can lead to the development of tiny blood vessels on the cornea, causing persistent inflammation, irritation, and scarring. This can potentially lead to vision loss.
Additionally, your eyelids move during sleep, putting pressure on your eyes and causing the lenses to shift out of place. This displacement can lead to scratches or other injuries to your eye. The lenses might also get stuck to your cornea, and removing them too quickly can damage the cornea.
The longer you sleep with contact lenses in, the higher the risk of infection. This is because your tear film, which usually washes away germs, cannot perform its protective function when you are not blinking. Germs have more time to spread, and the contact lenses can trap microbes and bacteria, creating an environment for them to multiply overnight. This can lead to serious eye infections, such as microbial keratitis, which can cause vision loss and permanent scarring.
In summary, sleeping with contact lenses can lead to irritation and discomfort, including dry, sore, and red eyes, as well as more severe issues such as corneal damage, scratches, and infections. It is important to remove contact lenses before sleeping to avoid these potential issues and to give your eyes time to breathe and rehydrate.
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Frequently asked questions
This can cut off the oxygen your eyes need, leading to corneal hypoxia. It can also cause eye dryness, redness, irritation, and discomfort.
Corneal hypoxia is when the cornea doesn't get enough oxygen. This can cause blurred vision, irritation, or an infection.
The first step is to let your eyes breathe by removing your contacts. However, do not rip them out as you could damage the cornea. Instead, blink a few times to get the tears flowing again, and put a few drops of saline or eye drops into your eyes.
Regularly sleeping with contact lenses can lead to several specific eye conditions, including keratitis, conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, and corneal hypoxia. It also increases the risk of eye infections by six to eight times, according to the CDC.
Symptoms of an eye infection include reddening of the eye, mucous from the eye, itching, and pain. If you suspect an eye infection, see a doctor as soon as possible.
